Major city · Guatemala
Melchor de Mencos
Skip as a base: cross the Belize border here in 20 min, then go straight to Flores or El Remate. One night only if you arrive late.
Melchor de Mencos is Guatemala's main land border with Belize. Most travellers pass through in under an hour. The town has a few Maya stelae in a park, banks with ATMs, and basic hotels. It works as a one-night stop if your bus arrives after dark, but Flores (1 h away) or El Remate (45 min) are better bases for Tikal and the Petén.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, muddy roads)
- Airport
- FRS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Melchor de Mencos110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Melchor de Mencos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyMelchor is a quiet border town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122/123 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 1 h by car or shuttle; check).
- Getting aroundWalk: the border, town centre and stelae park are all within a 20-min walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomGTQ 300
- High-end bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomGTQ 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 200 · Mid GTQ 350 · High GTQ 600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 1 h by car or shuttle; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Melchor de Mencos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the border, town centre and stelae park are all within a 20-min walk. For Flores or Tikal, take a shuttle or colectivo from the border area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h
Shuttle or colectivo from the border, about 1 h
Base for Tikal; go straight here if you arrive early.
Door to door: 45 min
Shuttle or colectivo, about 45 min
Lakeside town closer to Tikal; quieter than Flores.
Door to door: 1.5 h
Shuttle from Melchor (arranged at the border) or via Flores, about 1.5 h
The main reason to be in Petén; go early morning.
Nakum
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Guided tour from Melchor (check with Tikal Travel or Río Mopan Lodge)
Remote Maya site; requires a tour and a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the border
Basic hotels and guesthouses within walking distance of the crossing; Río Mopan Lodge is the most established.
Town centre
A few budget options, about 10 min walk from the border.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Q400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (guesthouse)1 × 1 night × GTQ 200 | GTQ 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 200 | GTQ 200 |
| Shuttle to Flores, one way1 × GTQ 100 · check | GTQ 100 |
| Meal at a comedor1 × GTQ 40 | GTQ 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 54 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 594 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 594 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights and tours excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a comedor | Q35–60 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | Q10–15 |
| Shuttle to Florescheck | Q80–120 |
| ATM withdrawal feecheck | Q15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Touts at the border offer cash exchange and tours: compare rates and use ATMs in town instead.
- Last shuttles to Flores leave before dark; check departure times on arrival.
- The stelae park is a 20-min walk from the border: follow the main road right after the crossing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
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Melchor de MencosMelchor de Mencos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle Melchor → Flores: about Q100, 1 h (check)
- Taxi from border to town centre: Q20–30
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la frontera? — Where is the border? (DON-deh es-TAH lah fron-TEH-rah)
- Necesito un shuttle a Flores — I need a shuttle to Flores (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon shuttle ah FLOH-res)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
Spanish is the main language; some English at the border and hotels.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Melchor de Mencos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, muddy roads) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Melchor de Mencos
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